Charles Hyatt, one of Jamaica’s most prolific entertainers, died early on New Year’s Day in Palm Bay, Florida, at age 75, falling victim to cancer of the liver, following his diagnosis with the dreaded disease just last December. Hyatt’s death follows closely on that of broadcaster Neville Willoughby, last month and Louise Bennett-Coverly earlier last year.

Jamaicans and other Caribbean residents in South Florida will particular miss Charlie, as he was popularly known. For several years, he and Fae Ellington co-hosted the “Reggae-Soca Awards.” His presence and the hilarious camaraderie he shared with Ellington were significant highlights of the local awards show. In addition, Charlie appeared in several plays in Florida, most of which were promoted by Sunshine Productions. Jackie Shaw, president of Sunshine, says her association with Charlie extended over 20 years. Last year her company brought Charlie to South Florida in the play, “Hot Spot.”   “Charles was such a good friend,” said Shaw.  “You couldn’t stay angry at Charles; he would always say something to make you laugh.” Shaw recalled that Charlie in giving her a copy of his book, “When Me Was a Bwoy” wrote in it “Good friends better than pocket money and a good friend with plenty of money is best.”  “That’s typical of Charles humor,” Shaw concluded.

Charles Hyatt, one of Jamaica’s most prolific entertainers, died early on New Year’s Day in Palm Bay, Florida, at age 75, falling victim to cancer of the liver, following his diagnosis with the dreaded disease just last December. Hyatt’s death follows closely on that of broadcaster Neville Willoughby, last month and Louise Bennett-Coverly earlier last year.

Jamaicans and other Caribbean residents in South Florida will particular miss Charlie, as he was popularly known. For several years, he and Fae Ellington co-hosted the “Reggae-Soca Awards.” His presence and the hilarious camaraderie he shared with Ellington were significant highlights of the local awards show. In addition, Charlie appeared in several plays in Florida, most of which were promoted by Sunshine Productions. Jackie Shaw, president of Sunshine, says her association with Charlie extended over 20 years. Last year her company brought Charlie to South Florida in the play, “Hot Spot.”   “Charles was such a good friend,” said Shaw.  “You couldn’t stay angry at Charles; he would always say something to make you laugh.” Shaw recalled that Charlie in giving her a copy of his book, “When Me Was a Bwoy” wrote in it “Good friends better than pocket money and a good friend with plenty of money is best.”  “That’s typical of Charles humor,” Shaw concluded.

 Charlie excelled in various fields of entertainment. Other than being an outstanding comedian, he was also an exceptional stage and movie actor. He starred in 17 national pantomimes, including “Bedward,” “Carib Gold” and  “Busha Bluebeard,” and in many plays including Trevor Rhone’s “Smile Orange,” “Ole Story Time” and “Two Can Play.”

In movies he was featured in  “The Mighty Quinn” with Denzil Washington,  “A High Wind in Jamaica,” with James Coburn and Anthony Quinn; “Club Paradise,” alongside Robin Williams and Peter O'Toole; “Cool Runnings;” “The Bushbaby;” and “Milk and Honey.”

This eclectic performer was a broadcaster having served on the staff of JBC-Radio for several years up to 1981. He hosted a music program called “Here Comes Charlie” and a popular series called “When Mi Was a Bwoy,” which was also the title of his book. After JBC Charlie worked with KLAS FM and also with the print media at the Jamaica Record and wrote a column on theater for the Jamaica Observer.

Hyatt received the Silver Musgrave medal and the Order of Distinction for his contribution to theatre, as well as several Actor Boy awards for best actor.

What one can remember about Charlie as he inspired laughter was the creative mastery of his art. His jokes could be raunchy, but they were subtle and not done with the crassness used by many modern comedians. It could be said that he was the master of the innuendo.

A popular opinion among the Jamaican community is that the deaths of Louise Bennett-Coverly, Neville Willoughby and Charles Hyatt have really robbed Jamaica and the Caribbean of masters of stage, broadcasting and culture.  Pansy Mason, a Kendall resident, who appeared with Charlie in the cast of the pantomime, “Busha Bluebeard” said, “People like Ranny Williams, Miss Lou, Neville Willoughby and Charles Hyatt were entertainers of quality, who carried themselves and approached their art with the highest level of professionalism and integrity. This is badly lacking among the young entertainers from the Caribbean. The legacy of these great people would be really be lasting if the way they carried themselves and performed, could be emulated by the new generation.”

Charles Hyatt who was born in Kingston, Jamaica on February 14, 1931, is survived by his wife Marjorie, four children, including daughter Vauna of Palm Bay, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.